Anna DeBeer’s mother, Sara, is in town to support the ZUS Coffee import in her first stint overseas via the PVL. Anna made sure to give her a treat, firing 37.
As Anna DeBeer rifled in 37 points for Zus Coffee to thump 10-time champion Creamline in the PVL Reinforced Conference Thursday, Oct. 23, there was a special guest in attendance.
DeBeer's mother, Sara, flew in from the United States to support her daughter in her first overseas stint with the Thunderbelles.
“She knew I was coming. [I'm] just bringing over a little refreshments and a little bit of USA here to the Philippines for her midway through this trip until she gets home,” Sara told reporters at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
“But more importantly, just sharing this experience with her and supporting her and her team.”
[RELATED STORY: PVL: Anna DeBeer delivers inspired performance in front of mom]
Her support fueled her daughter to go berserk from the attack zone, delivering all but two of her total points from there to lift Zus Coffee from a first-set setback and complete a stunning 25-27, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 upset over reigning titleholder Cool Smashers.
She also had 15 excellent receptions.
Sara DeBeer on Filipino fans: 'You guys are so wonderful'
With DeBeer at the forefront, her squad rose to a 3-0 tally in Pool B. They share this record with Farm Fresh in the other group.
Sara, whose daughter also exploded for the same number of points in her debut against Chery Tiggo EV nearly two weeks ago, could not help but be proud.
“Well, this is what she wanted to do and experience: life outside the United States, playing internationally,” Sara said.
“Really proud of her to take on this adventure, learn a lot, practice, get some reps, play with some new teams. It’s been a great experience so far.”
[WATCH: PVL: Anna DeBeer fires 37 as ZUS Coffee douses Creamline for 3-0 mark]
Just a day into this trip across the globe, the elder DeBeer already appreciated the country’s warmth.
“Love the atmosphere of the arenas they were playing at and all the fans. You guys are so wonderful. It just makes it so exciting,” Sara said.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco/One Sports)
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.